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THE LEAVING
LANGUAGE ARTS AND VOCABULARY
* Help students brainstorm lists of words that describe the characteristics of Little Bit, the story's main character. Explore the character of Uncle James also.
* Students might define words they do not know by using context clues and their dictionaries.
* Compile a class book of family stories. Read the declaration on the jacket of THE LEAVING, noting that the framework of this story was passed down to the author by family members.
* Explain how a book is made, and help students put their book together in much the same way as published books.
SOCIAL STUDIES
* Discuss the time setting of the story, around 1870, using a map of the United States to show the Southern states and have students select a possible place setting for the story.
* Discuss the traits of courage, confidence, and determination. Discuss the triumph of hope.
* Encourage respect and admiration for persons who have braved adversity to seek freedom, justice, and human dignity. What makes these people special?
* Do students know of such people? Considering the setting of the story, what might Little Bit have in her flour sack? What might the nine-year-old want to take with her if she never expects to live in her cabin again?
* With older students, discuss the Emancipation Proclamation and President Abraham Lincoln.
* Explain peonage and why some slaves may not have been allowed to leave their owners. Invite a guest speaker to tell stories or to relate facts from slave history, if possible. Discuss the cruelty, the indignity and the realities of slavery.
ART
* Discuss Cedric Lucas' art, how his dusky pastels on pumice board give the story a heightened sense
of fear, suspense, and danger.
* Have students write reviews of THE LEAVING on index cards. Build a file of reviews of this and
other books enjoyed by the class. Check reviews for good writing and good storytelling before reviews are added to a file to be shared with other classes.
* Help students make lists of questions. What do they think her real name might be? Write letters
to Little Bit, touting her bravery, her determination, and her commitment to family. Short sequels
might be written. What happened to Little Bit and her family after their escape to freedom?
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